Cyber-related data recovery

ABSTRACT

Embodiments of the present disclosure include receiving one or more input/output (IO) requests at a storage array from a host device. Furthermore, the IO requests can include at least one data replication and recovery operation. In addition, the host device&#39;s connectivity access to a recovery storage array can be determined. Data replication and recovery operations can be performed based on the host device&#39;s connectivity to the recovery storage array.

BACKGROUND

Cyber resiliency and recovery have emerged as the most pressing problemto be solved in business continuity planning. Unlike disaster recovery,which focuses on recovery after a data center's physical loss, cyberrecovery focuses on recovery from pervasive logical corruption, such asransomware or errant data being introduced into the environment. The USNational Institute for Standards (NIST) has developed a cyber securityframework for organizations to develop their cyber security strategy. Itcontains five key elements: Identify, Protect, Detect, Respond andRecover.

SUMMARY

Embodiments of the present disclosure include receiving one or moreinput/output (IO) requests at a storage array from a host device.Furthermore, the 10 requests can include at least one data replicationand recovery operation. In addition, the host device's connectivityaccess to a recovery storage array can be determined. Data replicationand recovery operations can be performed based on the host device'sconnectivity to the recovery storage array.

In embodiments, a storage system's replication topology andconfiguration can be determined. Additionally, the topology can includethe storage array and the recovery storage array.

In embodiments, the host device can invoke the storage system to performat least one data replication and recovery operation based on the hostdevice's connectivity access to the recovery storage array.

In embodiments, the host device can be provided with connectivity accessto the recovery storage array.

In embodiments, the host device can be given direct connectivity accessto the recovery storage array based on the storage system's replicationtopology and configuration. In addition, the host device can be givenindirect connectivity access to the recovery storage array based on thestorage system's replication topology and configuration

In embodiments, snapshots of the storage array's stored data can begenerated. Further, a data recovery and replication operation can beperformed in response to each snapshot generation

In embodiments, recovery metadata can be generated in response toreceiving an IO write request. Additionally, state information of adataset related to the IO write request can be inserted into therecovery metadata based on the storage system's replication topology andconfiguration. Further, the recovery metadata can be provided with thestate information and a timestamp of the dataset related to the 10 writerequest based on the storage system's replication topology andconfiguration

In embodiments, the host device's clock can be synchronized with thestorage system's clock. Further, an application time related to the dataset can be obtained.

In embodiments, a first data replication operation can update at leastone track of the data set based on an updated schedule. Additionally, asecond data replication operation can monitor the storage system'sasynchronous replication lag time.

In embodiments, the host device can be enabled to link at least one ofthe snapshots to a recovery volume. Additionally, the host device can beenabled to evaluate the at least one linked snapshot. Further, the datareplication and recovery operations can be performed in response toreceiving one or more instructions from the host device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a storage array in accordance withembodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1A is a cross-sectional view of a hard disk drive (HDD) inaccordance with example embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a data services processor in accordancewith embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a storage area network (SAN) topology inaccordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a flow diagram of a method for recovering corrupted data inaccordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram of a method for performing temporal-based datarecovery operations in accordance with embodiments of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 6 is a flow diagram of a method for recovering data based on ahost's connectivity to a recovery array in accordance with embodimentsof the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As stated above, NIST has developed a cyber security framework fororganizations to develop their cyber security strategy. The frameworkincludes five key elements: Identify, Protect, Detect, Respond andRecover. While there has been significant development targeting theIdentify, Protect, Detect, Respond elements, the Recovery element isstill in the nascent stages of solution development.

Embodiments of the present disclosure enable host devices to provideimmutable data copies that are recoverable. Additionally, theembodiments identify “good” data copies (e.g., uncorrupted and capturedin a recoverable state). For example, the embodiments can identify gooddata in a multi-site environment. Further, the embodiments can recovergood data copies at an object or dataset level.

Additionally, the embodiments can include an orchestration layer thatcan operate in storage area network (SAN) configurations. Specifically,the orchestration layer can perform recovery operations based on thephysical location of the good data copies, server availability, andserver processing capabilities. For example, the orchestration layer canextend disaster recovery—remote replication topology-aware tools tocyber recovery frameworks disclosed herein.

Regarding FIG. 1 , a system 100 includes a storage array 105 thatincludes components 101 configured to perform one or more distributedfile storage services. In embodiments, the array 105 can include one ormore internal communication channels 160 that communicatively coupleeach of the array's components 101. The communication channels 160 caninclude Fibre channels, internal busses, or communication modules. Forexample, the array's global memory 150 can use the communicationchannels 160 to transfer data or send other communications between thearray's components 101.

In embodiments, the array 105 and one or more devices can form anetwork. For example, the array 105 and host systems 114 a-n can definea first communication network 118. Further, the first network's topologycan have the hosts 114 a-n and the array 105 physically co-located orremotely located from one another. Likewise, the array 105 and a remotesystem 115 can define a second communication network 120. Additionally,the array's RA 140 can manage communications between the array 105 andan external storage system (e.g., remote system 115) using the networks118, 120. The networks 118,120 can be a wide area network (WAN) (e.g.,Internet), local area network (LAN), intranet, Storage Area Network(SAN)), Explicit Congestion Notification (ECN) Enabled Ethernet networkand the like.

In further embodiments, the array 105 and other networked devices (e.g.,the hosts 114 a-n and the remote system 115) can send/receiveinformation (e.g., data) using a communications protocol. Thecommunications protocol can include a Remote Direct Memory Access(RDMA), TCP, IP, TCP/IP protocol, SCSI, Fibre Channel, Remote DirectMemory Access (RDMA) over Converged Ethernet (ROCE) protocol, InternetSmall Computer Systems Interface (iSCSI) protocol, NVMe-over-fabricsprotocol (e.g., NVMe-over-ROCEv2 and NVMe-over-TCP), and the like. Forexample, the remote system 115 can include one or more data backuparrays. As such, the array 105 can synchronously or asynchronously backup its stored data on the remote system 115.

The networked devices 105, 115 a-n, 116, and the like can connect to thenetworks 118,120 via a wired/wireless network connection interface, bus,data link, and the like. Further, the networks 118, 120 can also includecommunication nodes that enable the networked devices to establishcommunication sessions. For example, communication nodes can includeswitching equipment, phone lines, repeaters, multiplexers, satellites,and the like.

In embodiments, the array's components 101 can receive and processinput/output (IO) workloads. An 10 workload can include one or more IOrequests (e.g., read/write requests or other storage service-relatedoperations) originating from the hosts 114 a-n or remote system 115. Forexample, one or more hosts 114 a-n can run an application that requiresa read/write of data to the array 105.

In embodiments, the array 105 and remote system 115 can include avariety of proprietary or commercially available single ormulti-processor systems (e.g., an Intel-based processor and the like).Likewise, the array's components 101 (e.g., HA 121, RA 140, deviceinterface 123, and the like) can include physical/virtual computingresources (e.g., a processor and memory) or require access to thearray's resources. For example, the memory can be a local memory 145configured to store code that the processor can execute to perform oneor more storage array operations.

In embodiments, the HA 121 can be a Fibre Channel Adapter (FA) thatmanages communications and data requests between the array 105 and anynetworked device (e.g., the hosts 114 a-n). For example, the HA 121 candirect one or more IOs to an array component 101 for further storageprocessing. In embodiments, the HA 121 can direct an 10 request to thearray's device interface 123. The device interface 123 can manage the 10request's read/write data operation requiring access to the array's datastorage devices 116 a-n. For example, the data storage interface 123 caninclude a device adapter (DA) 130 (e.g., storage device controller),flash drive interface 135, and the like that controls access to thestorage devices 116 a-n. Likewise, the array's Data Services Processor(DSP) 110 can manage access to the array's local memory 145. Inadditional embodiments, the array's DSP 110 can perform one or moreself-optimizing techniques (e.g., one or more machine learningtechniques) to deliver performance, availability, and data integrityservices for the array 105 and its components 101.

In embodiments, the array's storage devices 116 a-n can include one ormore data storage types, each having distinct performance capabilities.For example, the storage devices 116 a-n can include a hard disk drive(HDD), solid-state drive (SSD), and the like. Likewise, the array'slocal memory 145 can include global memory 150 and memory components 155(e.g., register memory, shared memory constant memory, user-definedmemory, and the like). The array's memory 145 can include primary memory(e.g., memory components 155) and cache memory (e.g., global memory150). The primary memory and cache memory can be volatile or nonvolatilememory. Unlike nonvolatile memory, volatile memory requires power tostore data. Thus, volatile memory loses its stored data if the array 105loses power for any reason. The primary memory can include dynamic (RAM)and the like in embodiments, while cache memory can comprise static RAM,amongst other similar memory types. Like the array's storage devices 116a-n, the array's memory 145 can have different storage performancecapabilities.

In embodiments, a service level agreement (SLA) can define at least oneService Level Objective (SLO) the hosts 114 a-n require from the array105. For example, the hosts 115 a-n can include host-operatedapplications that generate or require data. Moreover, the data cancorrespond to distinct data categories, and thus, each SLO can specify aservice level (SL) for each category. Further, each SL can define astorage performance requirement (e.g., a response time and uptime).

Regarding FIG. 1A, the array 105 can persistently store data on one ofits storage devices 116 a-n. For example, one of the array's storagedevices 116 a-n can include an HDD 160 having stacks of cylinders 162.Further, a cylinder 162, like a vinyl record's grooves, can include oneor more tracks 165. Thus, the storage array 105 can store data on one ormore portions of a disk's tracks 165.

In embodiments, the HA 121 can expose and provide each host 114 a-nlogical unit number (LUN), defining a virtual device (e.g., a virtualvolume 305 of FIG. 3 ). The virtual storage device can logicallyrepresent portions of at least one physical storage device 116 a-n. Forexample, the DSP 110 can define at least one logical block address (LBA)representing a segmented portion of a disk's track 165 (e.g., a disk'ssector 170). Further, the DSP 110 can establish a logical track or trackidentifier (TID) by grouping together one or more sets of LBAs. Thus,the DSP 110 can define a LUN using at least one TID. In addition, theDSP 110 can create a searchable data structure, mapping logical storagerepresentations to their related physical locations. As such, the HA 121can use the mapping to direct 10 requests by parsing a LUN or TID fromthe request's metadata.

In embodiments, the array's DSP 110 can establish a storage/memoryhierarchy based on one or more of the SLA and the array's storage/memoryperformance capabilities. For example, the DSP 110 can establish thehierarchy to include one or more tiers (e.g., subsets of the array'sstorage/memory) with similar performance capabilities (e.g., responsetimes and uptimes). Thus, the DSP-established fast memory/storage tierscan service host-identified critical and valuable data (e.g., Platinum,Diamond, and Gold SLs), while slow memory/storage tiers servicehost-identified non-critical and less valuable data (e.g., Silver andBronze SLs).

Further, the DSP 110 can include a replication manager (RM) 111 thatmanages the array's memory and storage resources (e.g., global memory150 and storage drives 116 a-n). For instance, the RM 111 can have alogic/circuitry architecture that performs data replication and recoveryservices, as described in greater detail herein.

Regarding FIG. 2 , an RM 111 can include one or more software/hardwarecomponents 200 that perform one or more data replication or recoveryservices. For example, the RM 111 can include a network controller 205that determines a network's topology (e.g., a SAN topology). Inembodiments, the controller 205 can issue search signals (e.g.,discovery packets) that include destination information of a networkeddevice (e.g., the remote system 115 and hosts 114 a-n). For example, thecontroller 205 can issue a search signal to the remote system 115 or thehosts 114 a-n using their respective network locations (e.g., IP networkaddress). The search signal can traverse the network (e.g., networks118, 120 of FIG. 1 ) and maintain a network travel log. The signal canstore the travel log in a communications layer defined by the network'sconfigured communications protocol (e.g., TCP/IP).

In response to receiving the search signal, the remote system 115 orhosts 114 a-n can issue a response signal to the array 105. For example,the remote system 115 and hosts 114 a-n can parse the search signal'stravel log to determine a return path for their respective responsesignals. Further, the controller 205 can analyze the response signal'stravel path amongst other network metadata to determine a topology ofthe SAN.

Additionally, the controller 205 can determine a host's connectivity andaccessibility to the array 105 and a remote system 115. Specifically,the hosts 114 a-n can issue input/output (IO) requests to the array 105.In response to receiving an 10 request, the controller 205 can parsemetadata from the 10 request. The metadata can include informationspecifying the network device type (e.g., host computing-device,application, remote array, etc.), timestamps corresponding to the 10request's data payload, and data state (e.g., an open or closed state).

Further, the RM 111 can also include a snapshot imager 215 215 thatperforms one or more data replication services. For instance, the imager215 can take snapshots of data stored by the array's storage resources230. Additionally, the resources 230 can include the array's storagedevices 116 a-n and global memory 150. In embodiments, the array 105 caninclude one or more daemons 260 that monitor read/write activity of theresources 230 and record the activity in their respective activity logs.Further, according to a data backup schedule, the daemons 230 can issueactivity reports, including the logs and other data-related metadata.).The reporting schedule can specify a snapshot duration, start time, orend time for each recording period. Thus, the daemons 260 can delivertheir logs to the imager 215 at the end of each recording period.Additionally, the daemons 260 can provide each log with a uniquesnapshot ID, defining temporal-related information. Accordingly, theimager 215 can aggregate the logs from each daemon 260 to generate asnapshot.

As described herein, a company can use a storage array to performcyber-related data replication and recovery services that, e.g.,preserve data integrity. Accordingly, the RM 111 can further ensure dataselected for replication is valid (e.g., ‘good’ data) by synchronizingthe hosts 114 a-n with the array 105. Thus, for example, the networkcontroller 205 can provision the hosts 114 a-n with resources enablingthe hosts 114 a-n to issue periodic 10 sync messages.

In embodiments, the 10 sync messages can include a write to a track thatincludes a timestamp generated by each host's clock. Additionally, thehosts 114 a-n can issue the 10 sync messages from each host-operatedapplication requiring the array's storage services. Further, thecontroller 205 or the hosts 114 a-n can dynamically set a sync messaginginterval. For example, the sync interval can be based on a current oranticipated data change rate (i.g., based on a frequency of writes). Inother examples, the sync interval can be initially predetermined (e.g.,once per second) and later dynamically adjusted based on 10 workloads.In another example, the network controller 205 can set the sync intervalbased on an asynchronous replication lag time. For example, thecontroller 205 can adjust a snapshot generation period, e.g., bychanging the daemon reporting schedule.

Thus, the snapshot imager 215 can parse the daemon reporting logs tocompare host-related timestamps to array-related timestamps of thedata's datasets. If the timestamps are consistent (e.g., within anexpected network lag time), the snapshot imager 215 can determine thatthe dataset is ‘good.’ In addition, the imager 215 can maintain a backuplog in a local memory 225 that identifies data ready for back and datathat has been backed up.

In embodiments, the RM 111 can include a backup processor 220 that backsup data on replication or secondary physical storage volumes, residing,e.g., on the remote system 115. For instance, the processor 220 cangenerate copies of ‘good’ data, e.g., specified by the backup log.Additionally, the backup processor 220 can perform the data backup via apush/pull request to/from the remote system 115.

Regarding FIG. 3 , the RM 111 or one or more of its components 200 canreside in the array 105, remote system 115, or hosts 114 a-n. Thus, inembodiments, the location of the RM 111 or its components 200 cancorrespond to a topology of a network (e.g., storage area network (SAN))300 that includes the array 105, remote system 115, or hosts 114 a-n.

For example, the SAN 300 can include a topology with a host 114 a havingindirect access to replication data maintained by the remote system 115.In an indirect access topology, the remote system 115 can include the RM111 and perform asynchronous data replication via an asynchronous remotedata facility (RDF/A) communications channel 235. The RM 111 can performasynchronous data replication according to any known or yet to be knowntechnique. Further, in such a topology, the host 114 a only has directaccess to the array 105. As such, the host 114 a can use indirectlyaccess replicated data on the remote system 115 via the array 105 orother hosts 114 b-c that have direct access to the remote system 115.

For instance, the host 114 a can request the array 105 or the hosts 114b-c for replicated data from the remote system 115. For example, thearray 105 or hosts b-c can include snapshot metadata 280, 205 a-c thatmaps snapshots to recovery storage-related information (e.g.,logical/physical address spaces). The array 105 or hosts 114 b-c canappend the snapshot metadata to the request. In response to receivingthe request, the remote system 115 can obtain the snapshot related tothe request from a snapshot storage 270. The remote system 115 canperform recovery operations using RM 111 and store the recovered data ina recovery storage 275. Further, the remote system 115 can push the datato the array's recovery storage 260 via a direct RDF channel 245 to thearray 105. Thus, in turn, the array 105 can deliver the replicated datato the host 114 a.

In embodiments, the SAN 300 can have a topology where a host 114 b hasdirect access to the array 105 and the remote system 115. In such atopology, the remote system 115 can perform synchronous data replicationservices using the synchronous RDF (RDF/S) channel 245 (e.g., an in-bandconnection). Furthermore, the RM 111 and host application can share aclock for synchronizing data activities in such a direct topology. Thus,the RM 111 does not need to synchronize their respective clocks.

The following text includes details of one or more methods or flowdiagrams in accordance with this disclosure. For simplicity ofexplanation, the methods are depicted and described as a series of acts.However, acts in accordance with this disclosure can occur in variousorders or concurrently and with other acts not presented and describedherein. Furthermore, not all illustrated acts may be required toimplement the methods described in this disclosure.

Regarding FIG. 4 , a method 400 can be executed by any of the array'sother components (e.g., components 101 of FIG. 1 ). The method 400describes recovering corrupt data. At 405, the method 400 can determineif backup data is accessible at a primary array or a secondary array. Inembodiments, the host applications can be executed proximate to theprimary array's location. If a host can access the backup data from theprimary array, the method 400, at 425, can further include recoveringcorrupt data from the primary array. If the backup data is inaccessiblefrom the primary array but accessible from the secondary array, themethod 400, at 410, can also include transferring “good” data to theprimary array.

In embodiments, at 410, method 400 can include performing data recoverytechniques at the secondary array before the transfer or performing thedata recovery techniques at the primary array after the data transfer.Further, the method 400, at 415, can include determining if the backupdata on the secondary array was asynchronously copied from the primaryarray to the secondary array. Additionally, in response to a negativedetermination, at 425, the method 400 can recover corrupt data at theprimary array. In response to a positive determination, the method 400,at 420, can also include aligning backup data timestamps with the data'scorresponding application time. Additionally, the method 400, at 420,can include correlating backup data with time values associated withdataset states (e.g., open or closed) of the application(s). Inembodiments, the backup data can be aligned using a fixed offset thatrepresents an amount of delay between application time and thetimestamps of the backup data. Finally, at 425, the method 400 caninclude completing the recovery of the corrupt data. It should be notedthat each step of the method 400 can include any combination oftechniques implemented by the embodiments described herein.

Regarding FIG. 5 , a method 500 can be executed by any of the array'sother components (e.g., components 101 of FIG. 1 ). The method 500describes processing performed for an application configured forpossible future data recovery when backup data is copied asynchronouslyto a secondary site. For example, at 505, the method 500 can includedetermining if a threshold time interval has elapsed since a previousapplication timestamp was recorded. In an embodiment, an elapsed timeinterval between iterations can be one second, although differentiteration increments are possible. The iteration time could be slightlyless than the time between consecutive snapshot iterations. Thus, if thetime between consecutive snapshot iterations is ten minutes, thethreshold interval can be nine minutes. If the threshold time has notpassed, the method 500, at 505, can continue polling. The method 500, at510, can also include providing “good” data copies with a timestamp. Thetimestamp can be an application time (e.g., time-related to theapplication that generated the data). At 510, the method 500 can alsoinclude aligning timestamps of backup data at a secondary site. Itshould be noted that each step of the method 500 can include anycombination of techniques implemented by the embodiments describedherein.

Regarding FIG. 6 , a method 600 can be executed by any of the array'sother components (e.g., components 101 of FIG. 1 ). The method 600relates to orchestrating the recovery of data in a cyber-relatedframework. At 605, the method 600 can include receiving input/output(IO) requests at a storage array from a host device. For example, the 10requests can include at least one data replication and recoveryoperation. The method 600, at 610, can also include determining the hostdevice's connectivity access to a recovery storage array. At 615, method600 can further include replicating or recovering data based on the hostdevice's connectivity access to the recovery storage array. It should benoted that each step of the method 600 can include any combination oftechniques implemented by the embodiments described herein.

Using the teachings disclosed herein, a skilled artisan can implementthe above-described systems and methods in digital electronic circuitry,computer hardware, firmware, or software. The implementation can be as acomputer program product. The implementation can, for example, be in amachine-readable storage device for execution by or to control theoperation of, data processing apparatus. The implementation can, forexample, be a programmable processor, a computer, or multiple computers.

A computer program can be in any programming language, includingcompiled or interpreted languages. The computer program can have anydeployed form, including a stand-alone program, subroutine, element, orother units suitable for a computing environment. One or more computerscan execute a deployed computer program.

One or more programmable processors can perform the method steps byexecuting a computer program to perform the concepts described herein byoperating on input data and generating output. An apparatus can alsoperform the method steps. The apparatus can be a special purpose logiccircuitry. For example, the circuitry is an FPGA (field-programmablegate array) or an ASIC (application-specific integrated circuit).Subroutines and software agents can refer to portions of the computerprogram, the processor, the special circuitry, software, or hardwarethat implement that functionality.

Processors suitable for the execution of a computer program include, byway of example, both general and special purpose microprocessors and anyone or more processors of any digital computer. Generally, a processorreceives instructions and data from a read-only memory, a random-accessmemory, or both. Thus, for example, a computer's essential elements area processor for executing instructions and one or more memory devicesfor storing instructions and data. Generally, a computer can include,can be operatively coupled to receive data from or transfer data to oneor more mass storage devices for storing data (e.g., magnetic,magneto-optical disks, or optical disks).

Data transmission and instructions can also occur over a communicationsnetwork. Information carriers that embody computer program instructionsand data include all nonvolatile memory forms, including semiconductormemory devices. The information carriers can, for example, be EPROM,EEPROM, flash memory devices, magnetic disks, internal hard disks,removable disks, magneto-optical disks, CD-ROM, or DVD-ROM disks. Inaddition, the processor and the memory can be supplemented by orincorporated in special purpose logic circuitry.

A computer having a display device that enables user interaction canimplement the above-described techniques such as a display, keyboard,mouse, or any other input/output peripheral. The display device can, forexample, be a cathode ray tube (CRT) or a liquid crystal display (LCD)monitor. The user can provide input to the computer (e.g., interact witha user interface element). In addition, other kinds of devices canprovide for interaction with a user. Other devices can, for example, befeedback provided to the user in any form of sensory feedback (e.g.,visual feedback, auditory feedback, or tactile feedback). Input from theuser can, for example, be in any form, including acoustic, speech, ortactile input.

A distributed computing system that includes a backend component canalso implement the above-described techniques. The backend componentcan, for example, be a data server, a middleware component, or anapplication server. Further, a distributing computing system thatincludes a front-end component can implement the above-describedtechniques. The front-end component can, for example, be a clientcomputer having a graphical user interface, a Web browser through whicha user can interact with an example implementation, or other graphicaluser interfaces for a transmitting device. Finally, the system'scomponents can interconnect using any form or medium of digital datacommunication (e.g., a communication network). Examples of communicationnetworks include a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN),the Internet, wired networks, or wireless networks.

The system can include clients and servers. A client and a server aregenerally remote from each other and typically interact through acommunication network. A client and server relationship can arise bycomputer programs running on the respective computers and having aclient-server relationship.

Packet-based networks can include, for example, the Internet, a carrierinternet protocol (IP) network (e.g., local area network (LAN), widearea network (WAN), campus area network (CAN), metropolitan area network(MAN), home area network (HAN)), a private IP network, an IP privatebranch exchange (IPBX), a wireless network (e.g., radio access network(RAN), 802.11 networks, 802.16 networks, general packet radio service(GPRS) network, HiperLAN), or other packet-based networks. Circuit-basednetworks can include, for example, a public switched telephone network(PSTN), a private branch exchange (PBX), a wireless network, or othercircuit-based networks. Finally, wireless networks can include RAN,Bluetooth, code-division multiple access (CDMA) network, time divisionmultiple access (TDMA) network, and global system for mobilecommunications (GSM) network.

The transmitting device can include, for example, a computer, a computerwith a browser device, a telephone, an IP phone, a mobile device (e.g.,cellular phone, personal digital assistant (P.D.A.) device, laptopcomputer, electronic mail device), or other communication devices. Thebrowser device includes, for example, a computer (e.g., desktopcomputer, laptop computer) with a world wide web browser (e.g.,Microsoft® Internet Explorer® and Mozilla®). The mobile computing deviceincludes, for example, a Blackberry®.

Comprise, include, or plural forms of each are open-ended, include thelisted parts, and contain additional unlisted elements. Unlessexplicitly disclaimed, the term ‘or’ is open-ended and includes one ormore of the listed parts and combinations of the listed features.

One skilled in the art will realize that other specific forms can embodythe concepts described herein without departing from their spirit oressential characteristics. Therefore, in all respects, the precedingembodiments are illustrative rather than limiting the concepts describedherein. The appended claims thus recite the scope of this disclosure.Therefore, all changes embrace the meaning and range of equivalency ofthe claims.

1. A method, comprising: receiving one or more input/output (IO)requests at a storage array from a host device, wherein the IO requestsinclude at least one data replication and recovery operation;determining the host device's connectivity access to a recovery storagearray; and performing data replication and recovery operations based onthe host device's connectivity access to the recovery storage array,wherein performing the data recovery and replication operation furtherincludes: generating recovery metadata in response to receiving an IOwrite request; and based on the storage system's replication topologyand configuration, performing one or more of: inserting stateinformation of a dataset related to the IO write request into therecovery metadata, or providing the recovery metadata with the stateinformation and a timestamp of the dataset related to the IO writerequest.
 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising: determining astorage system's replication topology and configuration, wherein thetopology includes the storage array and the recovery storage array. 3.The method of claim 2, further comprising: enabling the host device toinvoke the storage system to perform at least one data replication andrecovery operation based on the host device's connectivity access to therecovery storage array.
 4. The method of claim 2, further comprising:providing the host device with connectivity access to the recoverystorage array.
 5. The method of claim 4, wherein providing the hostdevice with connectivity access to the storage array, includes at leastone of: based on the storage system's replication topology andconfiguration: providing the host device with direct connectivity accessto the recovery storage array, or providing the host device withindirect connectivity access to the recovery storage array.
 6. Themethod of claim 1, further comprising: generating snapshots of thestorage array's stored data; and performing a data recovery andreplication operation in response to each snapshot generation. 7.(canceled)
 8. The method of claim 6, wherein providing the recoverymetadata with the state information and the timestamp, further includes:synchronizing the host device's clock with the storage system's clock;and obtaining an application time related to the data set.
 9. The methodof claim 8, wherein obtaining the application time further includesperforming a first data replication operation, including updating atleast one track of the data set based on an updated schedule orperforming a second data replication operation, including monitoring thestorage system's asynchronous replication lag time, and adjusting aninterval for the generation of the snapshots based on the asynchronousreplication lag time.
 10. The method of claim 6, further comprising:enabling the host device to link at least one of the snapshots to arecovery volume; enabling the host device to evaluate the at least onelinked snapshot; and performing the data replication and recoveryoperations in response to receiving one or more instructions from thehost device.
 11. An apparatus including a memory and processorconfigured to: receive one or more input/output (IO) requests at astorage array from a host device, wherein the IO requests include atleast one data replication and recovery operation; determine the hostdevice's connectivity access to a recovery storage array; and performdata replication and recovery operations based on the host device'sconnectivity access to the recovery storage array, wherein performingthe data recovery and replication operation further includes: generatingrecovery metadata in response to receiving an IO write request; andbased on the storage system's replication topology and configuration,performing one or more of: inserting state information of a datasetrelated to the IO write request into the recovery metadata, or providingthe recovery metadata with the state information and a timestamp of thedataset related to the IO write request.
 12. The apparatus of claim 11,further configured to: determine a storage system's replication topologyand configuration, wherein the topology includes the storage array andthe recovery storage array.
 13. The apparatus of claim 12, furtherconfigured to: enable the host device to invoke the storage system toperform at least one data replication and recovery operation based onthe host device's connectivity access to the recovery storage array. 14.The apparatus of claim 12, further configured to: provide the hostdevice with connectivity access to the recovery storage array.
 15. Theapparatus of claim 14, wherein providing the host device withconnectivity access to the storage array, includes at least one of:based on the storage system's replication topology and configuration:provide the host device with direct connectivity access to the recoverystorage array, or provide the host device with indirect connectivityaccess to the recovery storage array.
 16. The apparatus of claim 11,further configured to: generate snapshots of the storage array's storeddata; and perform a data recovery and replication operation in responseto each snapshot generation.
 17. (canceled)
 18. The apparatus of claim16, wherein providing the recovery metadata with the state informationand the timestamp, the apparatus is further configured to: synchronizethe host device's clock with the storage system's clock; and obtain anapplication time related to the data set.
 19. The apparatus of claim 18,wherein obtaining the application time further includes performing afirst data replication operation, including updating at least one trackof the data set based on an updated schedule or performing a second datareplication operation, including monitoring the storage system'sasynchronous replication lag time, and adjusting an interval for thegeneration of the snapshots based on the asynchronous replication lagtime.
 20. The apparatus of claim 16, further configured to: enable thehost device to link at least one of the snapshots to a recovery volume;enable the host device to evaluate the at least one linked snapshot; andperform the data replication and recovery operations in response toreceiving one or more instructions from the host device.